Swiss Authorities Admit Bar Where Deadly New Year’s Fire Broke Out Had No Safety Inspection Since 2019

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — A devastating fire tore through the Le Constellation bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations, killing 40 people and injuring more than 100, and authorities have now revealed that the ski-resort venue had not been inspected for fire safety in over five years. This failure in routine checks has raised serious questions about regulatory oversight.

Swiss officials confirmed that mandatory safety inspections were last conducted in 2019, and no subsequent fire checks were carried out between 2020 and 2025, despite regulations requiring annual reviews for bars and nightclubs in the Crans-Montana ski resort area. Mayor Nicolas Féraud expressed deep regret at the oversight, calling the lapse “a bitter failure” and emphasizing that authorities had no indication that scheduled inspections had been missed.

The tragic blaze erupted around 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, likely sparked when festive “sparkler” candles placed on champagne bottles came too close to highly flammable soundproofing material on the bar’s basement ceiling. Investigators are also examining whether other safety measures — such as fire alarms, exits and materials used in renovations — met modern fire-risk standards.

Criminal probes are underway against the bar’s operators for possible involuntary homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing a fatal fire, though police said as of now there is no flight risk for the suspects. In response to the tragedy, sparkler candles and similar indoor fireworks have been banned in public venues in Crans-Montana to prevent future emergencies.

Emergency services from across the Alpine region rushed to the scene, and severe burns necessitated DNA testing to identify some victims. The youngest among the dead was just 14 years old, and many injured remain hospitalized, with nations assisting in repatriation of foreign victims.

The fire at Le Constellation — one of the deadliest in recent Swiss memory — has sparked nationwide debate about safety oversight, enforcement of inspection schedules and the responsibility of local authorities to protect patrons of nightlife establishments.